Mining apparatus



Nov. 20, 1928.

- M. P. HOLMES MINING APPARATUS Original Filed June 18, 191.9

Patented Nov. 20, 1928.

UNITED STATES eases PATENT OFFICE,

MORRIS P. HOLMES, OF OLAREMONT, NEW' HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNQR TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

MINING APPARATUS.

Application filed .Tune 18, 1919, Serial No, 305,149 Renewed. October 4, 1923.

My invention relates to mining apparatus.

It has for its object to provide an improved mining apparatus. A further object of my invention is to provide an improved mining apparatus of the general character described and claimed in my co-pending application Ser. No. 280,394, filed Mar. 3, 1919, and its division Ser. No. 679,213, filed Dec. 7, 1923, having improved and simplified supplemental supporting means actuated in an improved and simplified manner. These and other objects and advantages of my improved construction will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown for purposes of illustration one embodiment which my invention mayassume in practice.

In these drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a mining ap paratus equipped with my improvement, the parts being shown in transport position.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same with the several parts shown in their positions during the process of unloading.

Fig. 3 is adetail transverse sectional View taken on line 3-8 of Fig. 2.

Fig, 1 is an enlarged detail View showing the supporting means in the position shown in Fi g. 2 but with the guiding frame, however, in a difierent position.

In this illustrative construction I have shown a mining machine truck including a longitudinally disposed frame 1 mounted on r and extending substantially beyond the front wheels of a set of truck wheels 2, which in turn are movable over a mine track 3. As in a usual construction, the truck wheels 2 are driven from a mining machine 1, herein of the room and pillar type and carried on the truck, a gear 5 on the rear end of the mining machine meshing in transport position of the parts. with a gear 6 on the rear end of the truck frame 1 and driving, through mechanism not shown, a transverse truck driving, shaft "4' operatively connected, as through a chain and sprocket connection 8, with the wheels 2. As in my previous construction, it will be observed that the mining machine 4 is also supported and slidaloly mounted in a normally longitudinally disposed and movable machine guiding frame 9 carried by the frame 1. As shown, this frame 9 is also pivotally connected at 10 for vertical tilting movement relative to the frame 1 and a lower plate 11 movable longitudinally therewith and having a swivel 12 slidable' in suitable. guides 13 on the frame 1, the platell being adapted to slide forward or backward in these guides and with the frame 9 and machine 4 when a feed chain 14, driven by a feed sprocket 15 on the machine, is fixed either to a fork 16 on the truck or to either of a pair of op-' positely located hooks 17 on the front end of the frame.

In my present construction, it will be observed that I have provided improved supplemental means for supporting the front end of the apparatus. As shown,-the same engage with the rails of the track 3, as distinguished from the bottom, vand are preferably so located relative to the front end of the truck frame 1 as thereby to provide a rigid support for the machine as the latter is moved longitudinally over the front end of the truck. More particularly, it will be observed that these means herein are also directly actuated and controlled by the frame 9 through an improved and simplified construction and arrangement of parts. Referring more particularly to the drawings, it will be observed that I have provided a plurality of laterally extending rail engaging members 18 adapted to engage the tops of the opposite rails, and herein rigidly connected and formed on the opposite ends of a single crossbar, preferably of such slightly greater length than the distance between the rails as to adapt the same to varying conditions and yet maintain the members 18 within the lines of the truck and thereby avoid conflict during transport. As shown, these members, 18 are also integrally united, as by bolts 19, with dependinglarms 20 journaled on the same horizontal axis at 21 in suitable brackets 22 carried on the opposite sides of the front end of the frame 1, and these arms 20 preferably also have integrally united therewith, upward bell crank arms or cam members 23 each having onefiat side, oneconvex side, and a pointedend, and adapted as hereinafter described to cooperate with and be engaged and actuated by the frame 9 as the latter moves longitudinally relative to the frame 1. As shown, this frame 9 is provided on opposite sides of its front end, with laterally extending operating members 24' having inclined rear surfaces or edges 25. It will also be observed that likewise extending laterally from the frame 9 on opposite between the same in which the arms 23 may.

move as hereinafter described, the limits of movement thereof be ng established by inclined lntersecting surfaces 28 and 29 inside the bracket 22. As illustrated, these members I 26 also extend rearwarda substantial distance, terminating substantially as shown in Fig. 1.

In considering the operation of my improved construction, we will assume that the parts occupy their transport position shown in Fig. 1, and that the end of the truck frame 1 is substantially opposite the end of the track, as it would bewhen run into a room in position to unload the machine from the truck. As a first step in the unloading operation, the chain 14 is disconnected from its chain fork 16 on the truck and carried around to one of the hooks 17 at the front end of the frame. Asa result of then, startingthe machine motor, the machine l, with the frame 9, will be fed along the chain and slide forward on the truck frame 1. Due to the fact that each of the cam members oxtends upward in front of a member 2G,'it will be observed that the forwardmovement of the frame 9, and consequently of these members 26, will therefore swing each cam member 23 forward or to the right, as shown, in such a manner as to depress the arms 20 and bring the'traclr engaging members 18 into the position shown in Fig. 2 almost immediately after the machine and frame 9 begin to move forward. Here, it will also be observed that the contact of the surfaces 27 on the members 26 with the flat rear sides of the members 23 will not only force the latter forward, but will force the same slightly downward, as shown, in such a manner as to carry the members 18 over center, i. e. slightly rearward out of alinement in a vertical plane with the pivots 21, and into engagement with the surfaces 29, thereby providing a stable support beneath the front end of the truck frame 1, wherein the weight of the machine passing thereover causes the members 18 even more positively to engage the rails, and wherein it is impossible to release the supporting means until they are intentionally moved in an opposite direction. Obviously after the supporting means has thus been set, the machine 4and frame 9 may continue their movement relative to the truck frame 1 until the frame 9 and its swivel plate 11 occupy the desired position, and through then connecting the free end of'the chain lt to the face the machine 4; may be moved relative to the frame 9 in such a manner as to tilt the latter to-its unloading position, all without in any way interfering with the supporting means. Moreover, when it is desired again to load the machine,i.e.whenthe chain 14 has again been connected to its fork 16,it willbe observedthat the machine may be fed up over the frame 9 in such a manner as to tilt the latter into horizontal position upon the frame 1 and then slide it rearward a substantial distance without disturbing the front support. It will be observed, however, that when the frame 9 approaches its rearmost or transport position, the surfaces 25 on the members 24; will then slide under the front end of the cam members 23 in such a manner as to cause the latter tobe lifted and moved backward to swing the track engaging members 18 forward and upward to the transport position shown in Fig. 1, wherein it will be observed that the parts are securely clamped due to the actionof the surfaces 25, 27, and 28, the members 18 then being disposed well above the bottom of the frame 1 and clear of the rails in the horizontal position shown.

As a result of my improved construction,

. it will be observed that it is possible to utilize the rails as a supporting abutment and thereby obtain fixed distance between the truck and the surface engaged by the supporting means, the variations in the level of the bottom being taken care of by the tilting of the frame. Attention is also directed to the fact that through the use of such a fixed abutment, it is possible to utilize the weight of the ma chine to render its support even more rigid, and that through timing the parts as described, the front end of the truck is only lifted when the machine is not supported thereby. It will also be observed that the mechanism herein provided, while exceedingly simple and adapted to be manufactured at small expense and readily applied to existing apparatus, is of such a rugged character as to enable it to withstand the rough usage to which such devices are normally subjected in mines. These and other advan tages of my improved construction will, however, be clearly apparent to those skilled in. the art;

\Vhile 1 have in this application specifically described one embodiment which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is used for illustrative purposes and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms and adapted to other types of truck supported mining machines without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck adapted to carry a load reciprocably thereon and to n eve along track rails, and supplemental track rail engaging supporting means for the front end thereof and including supporting means extending transversely of the apparatus into the path of the truck wheels in front of the latter and engageable with the track rails.

2. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck adapted to carry a load reciprocably thereon and to move along track rails, and supplemental track rail engaging truck' supporting means including members carried on the opposite sides of the front end of said truck and adapted to support the latter in upstanding position and supporting means carried-by said members and extending latcrallyinto the path of the truck wheels in front of the latter and engageable with the track rails.

3. In combination, a mining machine truck having a rigidly connected elongated front end port-ion and adapted to carry a load reciproca-bly thereon, said truck having track rail engaging wheels, and supplemental means extending laterally into the path of one of said wheels in front of the latter and engageable with a track rail automatically on predetermined load movement for preventing tilting of said truck.

4. In combination, a mining machine truck provided with wheels adapted to move along track rails and also having a rigidly connected elongated front end portion and adapted to carry a. load reciprocably thereon, and supplemental means on said truck extending laterally into the path of one of said wheels in front of the latter and engageable with a track rail automatically on predetermine-d load movement for preventing forward tilting of said truck as the load is moved forward thereon.

5. In combination, a track comprising rails, a wheeled truck thereon adapted to carry a load reciprocably longitudinally thereon, and supplemental truck supporting means extending laterally into the path of the truck wheels in front of the latter and engageable with the rails of said track and carried on the front end of said truck and adapted to support said front end in upstanding position.

6. In combination, awheeled truck, supplemental track engaging truck supporting means carried thereby including track rail engaging means extending transversely of the truck into the path of the truck wheels in front of the latter and operative to support the front end of said truck in upstanding position, and means for automatically actuating said means as a load is moved relative to said truck.

7. In combination, a Wheeled truck, supplemental track engaging truck supporting means carried thereby including track rail engaging means extending transversely of the truck into the path of the truck wheels in front ofthe latter and operative to support the front end of said truck in upstanding position, and means for actuating said means as a load is moved longitudinally of said truck.

8. In combination, a truck, supplemental.

track engaging truck supporting means carried thereby and operative to support the front end thereof in upstanding position, and means for actuating said means as a load is moved longitudinally in either directionon said truck. a

9. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck, supplemental track engaging truck supporting. means carried thereby including track rail engaging means extending transversely of the truck into the path of'the truck Wheels in front of the latter and operative to support the front end of said truck in upstanding position, and means for actuating said means as a mining machine moves relative to said truck.

10. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck, supplemental track engaging truck supporting members carried on the opposite sides thereof including track rail engaging means extending transversely of the truck into the path of the truck wheels in front of the latter and operativeto support the front end of said truck in upstanding position, and means for actuating said members as a mining machine moves relative to said truck:

11. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck, a mining machine movable thereon, supplemental track engaging truck supporting means adapted to support the front end of said truck in upstanding position, said means including track rail engaging means extending transversely of the apparatus into the path of the truck wheels in front of the latter, and means for actuating said means by movement'of said mining machine.

12. In a mining apparatus, a truck, a machine guide frame movable relative to said truck, and track engaging truck' supporting means actuated by said frame and adapted to support the front end of said truck in upstanding position. i

13. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck, a machine guiding frame slidable longitudinally of said truck, and track engaging truck supporting members actuated by said frame and adapted to supportthe front end of said truck in upstanding position, said members extending laterally into the path of the truck wheels in front of the latter and engageable with the rails of the traekway.

14. In a mining apparatus, a truck, pivoted truck supporting means thereon adapted to prevent forward tilting of said truck, and means for swinging the truck supporting means over center into supporting position automatically operative prior to the creation by truck load movement of a tilting tendency.-

15. In combination, a truck, pivoted truck supporting means, and means actuated by movement of the truck load for swinging said means over center into supporting position.

16. In a'mining apparatus, a wheel supported truck, pivoted track engaging truck supporting members on opposite sides thereof adapted to prevent forward tilting thereof, and means for swinging the same over the center into supporting position so arranged that movement of said truck supporting memhere into supporting position must precede movement of the load on said truck to a point wherein its center of mass is beyond the wheel base of said truck.

17. In a mining apparatus, a truck, track engag'ng pivoted truck supporting means carried on the front end thereof adapted to prevent forward tilting thereof, and means for automatically moving the same along a track surface into supporting position.

18. In a mining apparatus, a truck movable along track rails, track rail engaging pivoted truck supporting means carried on the front end thereof adapted to prevent forward tilting thereof, and means for automatically moving the same along a track surface into inoperative position.

19. In a mining apparatus, a load carrying wheeled truck, pivoted track engaging trucl-I supporting means at the front end thereof adapted to prevent forward tilting thereof, and means for swinging the same in opposite directions into operative or inoperative position so arranged that swinging of said truck supporting means into operative position is prerequi ite to movement of a load on said truck into a position wherein its center of mass falls outside the wheel base.

20. In combination, a wheeled truck, a pivoted truck supporting means thereon and engageable with the rails of the trackway, and means actuated by movement of a load on said truck for swinging said means into substantially upright position.

21. In combination, a wheeled truck, a pivoted truck supporting means thereon disposed in substantially upright position beneath the same and engageable with the rails of the tracln-vay, and actuating means therefor actuated upon movement of a load on said truck.

In combination, a wheel-ed truck, a pivoted truck si ipporting means thereon movable i-nto and out of a substantially upright position and engageable with the rails of the trackway. and means for actuating the same movable longitudinally of said truck.

23. In combination, a truck, a pivoted truck supporting means thereon disposed in substantially upright position and including rail engaging ends, and means for actuating said means including a member movable on said truck.

24.. In a mining apparatus, a truck, a machine guiding frame slidable longitudinally of said truck, and track engaging truck supporting members having cam shaped ends engaged by said frame.

25. In a mining apparatus, a truck, bell crank track engaging truck supporting members on each side thereof, and means for ac tuating said members.

26. In a mining apparatus, a truck, track engaging members pivoted thereon having in: tegral cam shaped upper ends, and means movable on said truck engagable with said cam shaped ends.

27. In a mining apparatus, a truck, track engaging members pivoted thereon having integral cam shaped upper ends and means movable with said truck alternately engagable with said cam shaped ends.

28. In a mining apparatus, a truck, pivoted track engaging truck supporting members thereon having integrally united cams movable therewith, and means reciprocable on said truck and when moved in either direction engageable with said cams.

In a mining apparatus, a truck, pivoted track engaging truck supporting members thereon, and means actuated by a member movable over said truck for swinging said members into inoperative. position in front of the front end of said truck.

30. In a mining apparatus, a truck, pivoted track engaging truck supporting members thereon, and means movable along said truck for automatically moving said members into engagement with a track or into inoperative position in front of the front end of said truck.

31. In a mining apparatus, a truck, a sliding member thereon, a frame tiltable vertically on said member, supplemental truck supporting means, and means on said vertically tiltable member controlling the 32. In a mining apparatus, a truck, a sliding member thereon, a frame tiltable vertically on said member, supplemental truck sup porting means, and means on said vertically tiltable member for moving said supporting means to and from operative position.

33. In a mining apparatus, a truck, a sliding member thereon, a frame tiltable vertically on said member, supplemental truck supporting means, and means including spaced actuating members on said vertically tiltable member for moving said supporting means to and from operative position.

3%. In a mining apparatus, a truck, a pair f truck supporting track engaging members each including cams movable at opposite sides of said truck, a sliding swiveled and tiltablc machine guiding frame, and means thereon for actuating said cams before the swivel and tilting operationst-hereof. I v 35. In a mining apparatus, a truck, truck supporting track engaging members includingv cams movable in vertical planes at oppo- Lamas site sides of said truck, a member reciprocable on said truck, and means thereon including a plurality of longitudinally spaced laterally disposed actuating members alternately engageable with said cams.

36. In a mining apparatus, a truck, truck supporting track engaging members including cams movable in vertical planes at opposite sides of said truck, a member reciprocable on said truck, and means thereon including spaced members cooperating with said cams to hold the same in a predetermined position.

37. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck, a member swiveled thereon and movable longitudinally thereof, a machine guiding frame movable longitudinally with and vertically tiltable on said member, and supplemental track railengaging truck supporting means engaged and actuated by said machine guiding frame.

38. In a mining apparatus, a truck, a ma chine guiding frame movable longitudinally thereof, a mining machine movable therewith, supplemental trucks supporting means for the front end of said truck, and actuating means therefor on said guiding frame at. the sides of thelatter engageable with said means during the first stages of a movement of said machine and frame in one direction.

39. In a mining apparatus, a truck, a machine guiding frame movable longitudinally thereof, a mining machine movable therewith, supplemental truck supporting means for the front end of said truck, and actuating means therefor on said guiding frame at the sides of the latter engageable with said means during the last stages of a movement of said machine and frame in one direction.

40. In a mining apparatus, a truck, a machine guiding frame movable longitudinally thereof, a mining machine movable therewith, truck supporting track engaging members pivoted on said truck, and actuating means therefor on said guiding frame engageable with said members during the first stages of a movement of said machine and frame in one direction and the last stages of a movement of said elements in the opposite direction.

41. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck, truck supporting means extending into the path ofthe truck wheels in front of the latter and engageable with the track rails for preventing a tilting of the front end of said truck including a member disposed laterally With respect to the path of machine movement, and means movable with a machine on said truck engageable with said member and actuating the latter and said supporting means.

42. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck, track rail engaging truck supporting means adapted to prevent tilting of the front end of said truck including a cam laterally disposed with respect to the path of mamovable with a machine on said truck engageable with said members and actuating the latter and said supporting means.

44. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck, track rail engaging truck supporting means adapted to prevent tilting of the front end of said truck including a plurality of members disposed outside the sides of said truck, and means movable with a machine movable on said truck engageable with said members and actuating the latter and said supporting means. 7

45. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck, a mining machine movable thereon, track rail engaging truck supporting means adapted to prevent tilting of the front end of said truck including a member pivoted to the outside of one side of said truck, and means movable with the machine engageable with said member and actuating the latter and said supporting means.

46. In a mining apparatus, a Wheeled truck, a mining machine movable thereon, track rail engaging truck supporting means adapted to prevent tilt-ing of the front end of said truck including a plurality of members pivoted outside the opposite sides of said truck, and means movable with the machine engageable with said members and actuating the latter and said supporting means.

47. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck, a mining machine movable thereon, track rail engaging truck supporting means including movable means disposed outside the side of said truck and longitudinally spaced relative to the truck wheels, and means movable with the machine engageable with said movable means and actuating the latter and said supporting means.

48. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck, track rail engaging truck supporting means including movable means disposed outside the side of said truck and a supporting member longitudinally spaced relative to the truck wheels, and means movable with a machine movable on said truck engageable with said movable means and actuating the latter and said supporting member.

49. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck, track rail engaging truck supporting means including means adapted to prevent tilting of the front end of said truck disposed outside the side of said truck and a supporting member'in front of the front wheels, and means movable with a machine movable on said truck engageable with said means and actuating the latter and said supporting means. I

50. In a mining apparatus, a Wheeled truck adapted to receive a mining machine and permit movement of the same relative thereto, a mining machine thereon, and a supplemental truck support extending laterally into the path of the truck Wheels in front of the latter and engageable with the rails of the trackway for preventing the tilting of said truck including an actuating member disposed laterally with respect to the path of machine movement and adapted to be actuated upon machine movement.

51. In a mining apparatus, a Wheeled truck adapted to receive a mining machine and permit movement of the same relative thereto, a mining machine thereon, and a supplemental truck support extending later.- ally into the pathof the truck. Wheels in front of the latter and engageable With the rails of the trackway for preventing the tilting of said truck including an actuating member disposed laterally with respect to the path of machine movement adapted to be actuated upon machine movement and a supporting member movable upon operation of said actuating member.

52. In a mining apparatus, a Wheeled truck adapted to receive a mining machine, a mining machine thereon, and a supple mental track rail engaging truck support adapted to prevent tilting of the front end of said truck including an actuating member dispose'dlaterally with respect to the path of machine movement and adapted to be reversely actuated upon reverse machine movements and a supporting member reversely movable upon reverse operation of said'actuating member.

53. In a mining apparatus, a Wheeled truck, and supplemental truck supporting means engageable With the rails of the track- Way and including pivoted actuating cams disposed outside opposite sides of said truck 1,eee,seo

and adapted to be actuated upon reverse movement of the machine therefrom andsupporting members likewise pivoted on said truck and movable upon movement of said actuating cams.

54. In a mining apparatus, a Wheeled truck, supplemental truck supporting means engageable With the rails of the trackway and adapted to prevent tilting of the front end of said truck including actuating members disposed outside the sides of said truck, a mining machine movable over said truck, and laterally projecting means movable with said machine and engageable With saidactuating means to operate the same and said supporting means reversely as said machine is moved reversely on said truck.

55. In a mining apparatus, a Wheeled truck, and a member pivotally connected. to said truck and movable relative to said truck automatically about an axis at right angles to the line of the trackway into engagement With a rail of the trackway at a'point in front of the front Wheels and in the vertical plane of one of the latter.

56. In a mining apparatus, a Wheeled truck, a member pivotally connected tosaiditruck and movable relative to said truck into engagement with a supporting surface at a point in front of the front Wheels, said member extending transversely of the apparatus into the path'of the truck Wheels in front of the latter and engageable With the rail of the trackxvay, and operative connections to said member whereby the latter may be controlled by a mining machine-movable on said truck.

57. In a mining apparatus, a-truck, pivoted truck supporting means thereon adapted to prevent for-Ward tilting-ofsaid truck, and means for swinging said supporting means over center into supporting position and so maintaining it until truckload movement suhjects said supporting means to the pressure of a load.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

MORRIS P. HOLMES.

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No. 1,692,260. Granted November 20, 1928, to

MORRIS P. HOLMES.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 1, line 45, after the word "driving" strike out the comma; page 4, line 81, claim 27, after the word "ends" insert a comma; page 5, line 24, claim 38, for the word "trucks" read "truck"; same page, line 126, claim 49, strike out the w0rdal'including means" and insert the same to follow after the word "truck" in line 127; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conformto the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 26th day of February, A. D. 1929.

M. J Moore,

' (Seal) Acting Commissioner of latents. 

